Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-01-21

counts ID AuUlISu HuN paul cssoLA1uEIy lcs
sardless Of the amount appropriated. While
this was not an objectionable provision in this
instance, perhaps it is one that is liable to lead
to much embarrassment. l recommend. there
FORE that a law be enacted similar to that passed
by congress, prohibiting the payments beyond
the amount of the appropriation in each case.
doubt in number Of cases which arise every
year in the transaction Of public business
Largely upon my recommendation the appro-
9own from &c per ' THIS
is abundant to keep up an effective organiza-
ton, provided authority is given the governor to
limit the number Of t men in sach company IN n
twenty OF, 100 at the option of the captain. and
We found at Fargo about coo men to be trans
P1d PER the
taken to the Aberdeen encampment, combining
it to the active members Of the companies. and
those present Of the last inspection The result
scarcely more than half the former gathering.
Beyond the natural pride which state or terri
tory must possess in a well organized militia, is
ago, that under the law every ablebodied male lee
citizen between the ages of 1S and As
is required to be enrolled and is , subject TO
cation, therefore. not only saves the people from
the annoyance of demand upon their time for
such service but is found very convenient in
moment. of course, if no action is taken by the
legislature, the organization will continue as
now, the appropriation being permanent one.
i am not inclined. hope to permit my pride IN
the militia organization to effect my judgment,
bat am perfectly confident that in appearance,
drill. and general effectiveness, the National
all territories but of many states long since ad-
mitted to the union and granted the privileges
still denied her.
INSANE HOSPITALS.
The Yankton hospital fol. the insane has IA in
mates The present superintendent reports ca,
have placed the number of patients who could
be accommodated at ECO.
The jamestown hospital has 1875 inmates.
while the reported capacity is but 100. In max
ing calculations regarding necessary quarters
for inmates, much depends upon the We've of
the superintendent regarding the room required
animation. but l presume. forty that or fifty
more patients might be accommodated
without any se, I! difficulty. At tn. the
there yill be need ofl enlsre,ns, both
cording to the estimates Of the snIerintendents
the end of 1883. But my experience is that these
estimates are delnsory. Two years ago the
superintendent Of the Dakota hospital estimated
patients to be cared for from south Dakota
alone while the report now submitted shows that
there actually but l4a. Still, as have SAID,
what additional improvements will he necessary
lie matter for study and investigation.
The trustees Of the jamestown hospital show
cess of their appropriation. this being for fuel,
lights and necessary furniture to accommo-
date the unexpected number ?, of appli-
stances this seems ;justidable, though ex-
discouraged by the legislature. The trustees,
amounts of the bills contracted, with the reasons
therefor. They also ask that committee of the
legislature visit the hospital and see for them
selves what has been done and what it is pro-
posed to do.
The trustees of the Yankton hospital have
kept within their appropriation and have ex-
ments and buildings in what seems to me a very
judicious and economical manner. Both our in
situations seem to be we'll conducted; indeed 1t
character in the country which is superior to
either of them in this respect. The only appar-
ent reason for complaint is the amount expended
for maintenance. which seems too large.
INSPECTION OF INSANE HOSPITALS.
There is no provision under the. law for the
sane. There ought to be. The people of the ter
ritory, many of whom have friends and relatives
II the asylums, and all Of whom are interested in
know how patients are treated, and how these
public charities are governed and administered.
confess hat with all my facilities for knowing
uncertain as to the treatment Of unfortunates. I
believe they are treated humanely, believe the
officers IN charge are kind. worthy and compe-
true for even had the governor the authority to
thoroughly investigate these matters, which he
has not the pressure of other official duties would
subject which the matter demands. The
unfortunatee confined in the insane asylums are
practically alone in their affection. The kind
drawn. Their lives are committed to the care Of
strangers accustomed to sights of distress, and
VINO, however KIND they may be. cannot feel that
personal interest," Which !s such eolace in times
tory, and sympathy mechanical. We cannot pro-
vide our unfortunates with that tender nursin g
aona hnt (Which tie Of affection
extended to them. and that those who are placed
IN charge of these important trusts are not only
6y bpt by temper DISPOSE
5sppy inmates are veil FED and oom d e BY
clothed Ses; that . they have oleanly apartments
unnecessary restraints, and especially from cruel
pnnishments. We can see that the institutions
are conducted with honesty, fidelity and
If this duty were confined to competent per-
son: whose labor should aleo include prison Wis.,
ltation and the examination Of applications for
place OF board of charities and corrections
which must in time be created for the territory.
PRISONS.
There are eighty-six prisoners in the territor-
!al penitentlary at Sioux Falls. By placing two
in 2 cell. this prison will accommodate l4i maies
and ten females so that it would not seem necea.
sary to provide further room at present unless
it is desired that prisoners should be entirely
separated. A very clear and concise report is
furnished by the directors, which, together with
0snmates for improvements ana maintenance,
submit herewith.
The Bismarck penitentiery contains fifty-tvo
prisoners. all but one of whom have been sem
fenced from north Dakota in the past twelve
months. The present wing containe room for
IA prisoners, by placing two in q cell, or seven
ty:two single occupants. An exhibit is sub.
United herewith. largely made up of the able re
port OF the warden. addressed to the directora.
he advances many strong reasons for the sepa-
rate confinement of prisoners, to which l direct
attention. Upon this subject of single or dual oc
cupancy of cells depends the question of whether
provisions shall be made for enlarging both
prisons. "o'''
The law of 1855 allowing the governor. at his
option, to open the Bismarck penitentiary ma a
reform school was found imperative. owing tn
the failure to confer upon the courts power tn
sentence prisoners of this class to Confinement
at Bismarck.
THE GOVERNMENT OF PRISONERS.
should be glad to have a committee of the
Legislature examine into the work kings and man
Dagement OF the two penitentiaries. think f.
important for the reason th4t there is doubt in
my own mind as TO the best policy to pursue in
the government of these institutions. Prisons
must necessarily be places to be dreaded and
shunned, or confinement in them will aid yerv
little in inspiring wholesome fear of the Law.